Electronic device for providing shooting mode based on virtual character and operation method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include: a camera module; a display; and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to: obtain a preview image corresponding to an external object using the camera module; determine attributes of the external object, based on the obtained preview image; synthesize the preview image with a virtual character image, based on the attributes of the external object; and output the synthesized preview image through the display. Other embodiments may be provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/793,341 filed on Feb. 18, 2020 which is based on and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0019526,filed on Feb. 19, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1) Field

One or more embodiments of the instant disclosure generally relate to anelectronic device that provides a virtual character-based shooting modeand an operation method thereof.

2) Description of Related Art

Recent developments in the electronic communication industry havebrought about a proliferation of portable electronic devices. Forexample, portable electronic devices may include various portableelectronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs),smartphones, tablet PCs, MP3 players, laptop personal computers (laptopPCs), digital cameras, wearable devices, and the like, as well as mobilecommunication terminals.

One of these electronic devices may provide various complex functions.For example, one such electronic device may obtain information on anexternal object (for example, image information) using a camera module,and may provide various functions to the user by utilizing the same.

In another example, the user may share data of his or her daily liveswith others through communication services such as social networkservices/sites (SNS), messenger services, and the like using theelectronic device.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

An electronic device according to various embodiments may include: acamera module; a display; and a processor, wherein the processor may beconfigured to: obtain a preview image corresponding to an externalobject using the camera module; determine attributes of the externalobject, based on the obtained preview image; synthesize the previewimage with a virtual character image, based on the attributes of theexternal object; and output the synthesized preview image through thedisplay.

A method of outputting a virtual character image of an electronic devicemay include: obtaining a preview image corresponding to an externalobject using a camera module; determining attributes of the externalobject, based on the obtained preview image by a processor; synthesizingthe preview image with a virtual character image, based on theattributes of the external object, by the processor; and outputting thesynthesized preview image through a display.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosure and its advantages,reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 101 in a networkenvironment according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating a camera module according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of anelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating a method of outputting an avatarimage in an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an avatarimage (i.e., a virtual character image) according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface regarding productionof a virtual character according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may obtaininformation about facial features or a facial expression of the userthrough a camera module, and may provide a virtual character imagesimilar to facial features of the user or a virtual character imagesimulating a facial expression of the user, thereby attracting theuser's interest in a social network service or a messenger service.

The electronic device may then utilize the virtual character images invarious manners, as well as sharing the virtual character imagesincluding the simulated face or facial expressions with other users.

An electronic device according certain embodiments and an operationmethod thereof may provide various user experiences through variouscamera photographing functions to attract the user's interest.

An electronic device according certain embodiments and an operationmethod thereof may automatically propose, to the user, a specificphotographing function suitable for a current photographing state, wherethe specific photographing function is selected among a plurality ofphotographing functions related to a virtual character image. Theselection may be based on a preview image obtained through a cameramodule.

An electronic device according certain embodiments and an operationmethod thereof may provide efficient execution of functions by employingan optimal object tracking method suitable for a current photographingstate when providing a virtual character image that is simulating theuser.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in anetwork environment 100 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 101 in the networkenvironment 100 may communicate with an electronic device 102 via afirst network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network),or an electronic device 104 or a server 108 via a second network 199(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to anembodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with theelectronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment,the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120, a memory 130, aninput device 150, a sound output device 155, a display device 160, anaudio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a haptic module179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189,a communication module 190, a subscriber identification module (SIM)196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g.,the display device 160 or the camera module 180) of the components maybe omitted from the electronic device 101, or one or more othercomponents may be added in the electronic device 101. In someembodiments, some of the components may be implemented as singleintegrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module 176 (e.g., afingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may beimplemented as embedded in the display device 160 (e.g., a display).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with theprocessor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing orcomputation, the processor 120 may load a command or data received fromanother component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communicationmodule 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command or the datastored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g.,a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), asensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that isoperable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor 123 may beadapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to bespecific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may beimplemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display device 160,the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to anembodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processoror a communication processor) may be implemented as part of anothercomponent (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190)functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronicdevice 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 140) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, oran application 146.

The input device 150 may receive a command or data to be used by othercomponent (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The inputdevice 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard,or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output device 155 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 101. The sound output device 155 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receivermay be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, thereceiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display device 160 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the displaydevice 160 may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, orsensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure theintensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtainthe sound via the input device 150, or output the sound via the soundoutput device 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g.,an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., over wires) or wirelesslycoupled with the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 mayinclude, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmosphericpressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gripsensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, abiometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or anilluminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., over wires) orwirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include,for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universalserial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or anaudio interface.

A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 101 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to anembodiment, the connecting terminal 178 may include, for example, a HDMIconnector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector(e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus whichmay be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 mayinclude, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electricstimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one ormore lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the power managementmodule 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 mayinclude, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, asecondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 190 may include one or more communicationprocessors that are operable independently from the processor 120 (e.g.,the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired)communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment,the communication module 190 may include a wireless communication module192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wirelesscommunication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a localarea network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication(PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules maycommunicate with the external electronic device via the first network198 (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™,wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA))or the second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network,such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., aLAN or a wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communicationmodules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip),or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separatefrom each other. The wireless communication module 192 may identify andauthenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, suchas the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriberinformation (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI))stored in the subscriber identification module 196.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module197 may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of aconductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate(e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, theantenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case,at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in thecommunication network, such as the first network 198 or the secondnetwork 199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192) from the plurality ofantennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or receivedbetween the communication module 190 and the external electronic devicevia the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment,another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC))other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part ofthe antenna module 197.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 101 and the external electronicdevice 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Eachof the electronic devices 102 and 104 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronicdevice 101 may be executed at one or more of the external electronicdevices 102, 104, or 108. For example, if the electronic device 101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response toa request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101,instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service,may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform atleast part of the function or the service. The one or more externalelectronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least partof the function or the service requested, or an additional function oran additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome ofthe performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of theoutcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, acloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computingtechnology may be used, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating the camera module 180according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera module 180 may include a lens assembly210, a flash 220, an image sensor 230, an image stabilizer 240, memory250 (e.g., buffer memory), or an image signal processor 260. The lensassembly 210 may collect light emitted or reflected from an object whoseimage is to be taken. The lens assembly 210 may include one or morelenses. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include aplurality of lens assemblies 210. In such a case, the camera module 180may form, for example, a dual camera, a 360-degree camera, or aspherical camera. Some of the plurality of lens assemblies 210 may havethe same lens attribute (e.g., view angle, focal length, auto-focusing,f number, or optical zoom), or at least one lens assembly may have oneor more lens attributes different from those of another lens assembly.The lens assembly 210 may include, for example, a wide-angle lens or atelephoto lens.

The flash 220 may emit light that is used to reinforce light reflectedfrom an object. According to an embodiment, the flash 220 may includeone or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB)LED, a white LED, an infrared (IR) LED, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED) or axenon lamp. The image sensor 230 may obtain an image corresponding to anobject by converting light emitted or reflected from the object andtransmitted via the lens assembly 210 into an electrical signal.According to an embodiment, the image sensor 230 may include oneselected from image sensors having different attributes, such as a RGBsensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, or a UV sensor, aplurality of image sensors having the same attribute, or a plurality ofimage sensors having different attributes. Each image sensor included inthe image sensor 230 may be implemented using, for example, a chargedcoupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) sensor.

The image stabilizer 240 may move the image sensor 230 or at least onelens included in the lens assembly 210 in a particular direction, orcontrol an operational attribute (e.g., adjust the read-out timing) ofthe image sensor 230 in response to the movement of the camera module180 or the electronic device 101 including the camera module 180. Thisallows compensating for at least part of a negative effect (e.g., imageblurring) by the movement on an image being captured. According to anembodiment, the image stabilizer 240 may sense such a movement by thecamera module 180 or the electronic device 101 using a gyro sensor (notshown) or an acceleration sensor (not shown) disposed inside or outsidethe camera module 180. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer240 may be implemented, for example, as an optical image stabilizer.

The memory 250 may store, at least temporarily, at least part of animage obtained via the image sensor 230 for a subsequent imageprocessing task. For example, if image capturing is delayed due toshutter lag or multiple images are quickly captured, a raw imageobtained (e.g., a Bayer-patterned image, a high-resolution image) may bestored in the memory 250, and its corresponding copy image (e.g., alow-resolution image) may be previewed via the display device 160.Thereafter, if a specified condition is met (e.g., by a user's input orsystem command), at least part of the raw image stored in the memory 250may be obtained and processed, for example, by the image signalprocessor 260. According to an embodiment, the memory 250 may beconfigured as at least part of the memory 130 or as a separate memorythat is operated independently from the memory 130.

The image signal processor 260 may perform one or more image processingwith respect to an image obtained via the image sensor 230 or an imagestored in the memory 250. The one or more image processing may include,for example, depth map generation, three-dimensional (3D) modeling,panorama generation, feature point extraction, image synthesizing, orimage compensation (e.g., noise reduction, resolution adjustment,brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, or softening). Additionallyor alternatively, the image signal processor 260 may perform control(e.g., exposure time control or read-out timing control) with respect toat least one (e.g., the image sensor 230) of the components included inthe camera module 180. An image processed by the image signal processor260 may be stored back in the memory 250 for further processing, or maybe provided to an external component (e.g., the memory 130, the displaydevice 160, the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or theserver 108) outside the camera module 180. According to an embodiment,the image signal processor 260 may be configured as at least part of theprocessor 120, or as a separate processor that is operated independentlyfrom the processor 120. If the image signal processor 260 is configuredas a separate processor from the processor 120, at least one imageprocessed by the image signal processor 260 may be displayed, by theprocessor 120, via the display device 160 as it is or after beingfurther processed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include aplurality of camera modules 180 having different attributes orfunctions. In such a case, at least one of the plurality of cameramodules 180 may form, for example, a wide-angle camera and at leastanother of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form a telephotocamera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of camera modules 180may form, for example, a front camera and at least another of theplurality of camera modules 180 may form a rear camera.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of anelectronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device 300 (e.g., theelectronic device 101 in FIG. 1) may include a camera module 380 (e.g.,the camera module 180 in FIG. 1), a display 360 (e.g., the displaydevice 160 in FIG. 1), an input module 350 (e.g., the input device 150in FIG. 1), and a processor 320 (e.g., the processor 120 in FIG. 1). Theprocessor 320 may include a microprocessor or any suitable type ofprocessing circuitry, such as one or more general-purpose processors(e.g., ARM-based processors), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), aProgrammable Logic Device (PLD), an Application-Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a GraphicalProcessing Unit (GPU), a video card controller, etc. In addition, itwould be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses codefor implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the codetransforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computerfor executing the processing shown herein. Certain of the functions andsteps provided in the Figures may be implemented in hardware, softwareor a combination of both and may be performed in whole or in part withinthe programmed instructions of a computer. No claim element herein is tobe construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless theelement is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” In addition,an artisan understands and appreciates that a “processor” or“microprocessor” may be hardware in the claimed disclosure. Under thebroadest reasonable interpretation, the appended claims are statutorysubject matter in compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 101.

According to an embodiment, the processor 320 may control the cameramodule 380 so as to obtain at least one image. For example, the cameramodule 380 may obtain a preview image corresponding to an externalobject. Further in this example, if an input for requesting photographyis received from the user, or if a request for executing an applicationrelated to the camera module 380 is received from the user, theelectronic device 300 may obtain a preview image through the cameramodule 380, and may output the preview image to the display 360. Forexample, the camera module 380 may output a preview image obtained inreal time through the display 360, and may store the obtained image in amemory (e.g., the memory 130 in FIG. 1 or the memory 250 in FIG. 2) whenthe electronic device receives a user input for the execution ofphotography. In one example, the image stored in the memory may be ahigh resolution image corresponding to the output preview image.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the processor 320 according to an embodiment mayinclude an image processing module 321, a user interface (UI) processingmodule 322, an avatar (e.g., a virtual character) image productionmodule 323, a tracking level determination module 324, and a shootingmode determination module 325.

According to an embodiment, the image processing module 321 may includea variety of image processors (e.g., the image signal processors 260 inFIG. 2, a central processing unit, a graphic processor, or a digitalprocessor) related to the camera module 380.

The image processing module 321 may perform functions to process thepreview image obtained using the camera module 380 and output the samethrough the display 360. For example, the image processing module 321may synthesize the preview image with a specified virtual characterimage (e.g., an avatar image), thereby producing a composite previewimage to be output through the display 360.

The image processing module 321 according to an embodiment may analyzedistinguishing features of a specific external object from the previewimage obtained through the camera module 380 to determine attributes ofthe external object (e.g., the identity of the person, a face, etc.),and may detect an image area including the external object. For example,the image processing module 321 may detect a body area from the previewimage, and may obtain information corresponding to face, eye(s), arm(s),leg(s), finger(s), facial expression, and/or tongue from the body area.

According to an embodiment, when the preview image obtained through thecamera module 380 or the composite preview image that includes a virtualcharacter image is output through the display 360, the user interface(UI) processing module 322 may output a user interface related to theoutput image together with the image. Accordingly, the electronic device300 may receive specific user inputs through the input module 350 thatare based on the user interface output on the display 360 by the userinterface processing module 322. The electronic device 300 may thenperform a function corresponding to the received user input.

For example, if execution of a function related to the virtual character(e.g., avatar) image is requested, the user interface processing module322 may output a preview image through the display 360, and may output auser interface for receiving a user input related to the type of virtualcharacter image together with the same on the output screen of thedisplay 360. In this example, the user interface may allow the user toselect between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) modes. Inthe VR mode, the virtual character may be displayed on a generatedvirtual background image, while in the AR mode, the virtual charactermay be composited onto an actual live preview image.

As another example, the user interface processing module 322 may outputa user interface for changing detailed image features of the virtualcharacter displayed on the display 360.

According to an embodiment, the shooting mode determination module 325may determine a shooting mode for obtaining a virtual character image,based on a preview image corresponding to the external object obtainedusing the camera module 380. The shooting mode determination module 325according to an embodiment may include at least one of a persondetection module 325 a for detecting distinguished featurescorresponding to a person, a face detection module 325 b for detectingdistinguished features corresponding to the face of the person, a handdetection module 325 c for detecting distinguished featurescorresponding to the hand of the person, and/or a body detection module325 d for detecting distinguished features corresponding to the body ofthe person.

The shooting mode determination module 325 according to an embodimentmay determine attributes of an external object in the preview image. Forexample, the shooting mode determination module 325 may recognize atleast one image area in an obtained image by applying an objectrecognition or object detection algorithm and/or a texture recognitionalgorithm. For example, the shooting mode determination module 325 mayrecognize at least one image area using various recognition algorithms,and may recognize at least one image area (e.g., face area, object area,or the like) using a recognition algorithm by applying machine learningor deep learning. The shooting mode determination module 325 mayrecognize whether or not the external object in the image includesperson, face, hand, or body. As such, the shooting mode determinationmodule 325 may recognize a specific image area from the preview image,and may extract distinguished features corresponding to the externalobject in the preview image, thereby determining the attributes of theexternal object corresponding to the distinguished features.

According to an embodiment, the shooting mode determination module 325may determine whether or not the external object is a person, and maydetermine different shooting modes depending on whether or not theexternal object is a person. For example, the shooting modedetermination module 325 may determine a first shooting mode (e.g.,figurine mode), as shown in FIG. 8, if the external object is not aperson. Again, the determination of whether the external object is aperson may be based on the attributes of the external object. Forexample, the shooting mode determination module 325 may determinewhether or not the extracted distinguished features correspond to aperson, thereby determining whether or not the external object is aperson. As another example, the shooting mode determination module 325may determine whether or not the extracted distinguished featurescorrespond to a face, and if the external object includes a face, maydetermine that the external object is a person. According to anembodiment, in the figurine mode, a specified virtual character image811 is displayed in the image area corresponding to a plane area 812included in the external object in the preview image.

According to an embodiment, if the external object is a person, based onthe attributes of the external object, the shooting mode determinationmodule 325 may provide a second shooting mode for displaying a previewscreen in which a virtual character image 511, 611, or 711 simulates theperson's facial expression or motion, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. Forexample, the electronic device 300 may track distinguished featurescorresponding to the person, and may produce and display the virtualcharacter image (e.g., an avatar image), based on the trackinginformation.

According to an embodiment, even in the case where an external object isrecognized to be a person, the shooting mode determination module 325may determine different shooting modes and provide different functionsdepending on whether or not the external object includes a face, a hand,a foot, or a whole body and/or depending on the size of an image areathat includes the face, hand, foot, or body.

For example, it may be determined that a face area has a predeterminedsize or more or a predetermined ratio or more, based on the size of theimage area corresponding to the face in the preview image. If so, theshooting mode determination module 325 may determine a 2-1^(st) shootingmode (e.g., mask mode) as shown in FIG. 6. In this mode, the shootingmode determination module 325 may display a virtual character image 611that replaces the face area of the preview image.

According to an embodiment, it may be determined that a body area has apredetermined size or more or a predetermined ratio or more, based onthe size of the image area corresponding to the upper body or whole bodyof the person, for example, in the preview image. If so, the shootingmode determination module 325 may determine a 2-2^(nd) shooting mode(e.g., virtual reality (VR) mode) as shown in FIG. 5. In this mode, theshooting mode determination module 325 may display a virtual characterimage 511 simulating features of the person (e.g., facial expression ormotion of the user body) on a virtual background area 513.

According to an embodiment, it may be determined that a body area has apredetermined size or more or a predetermined ratio or more, based onthe size of the image area corresponding to the upper body or whole bodyof the person, for example, in the preview image. If so, the shootingmode determination module 325 may determine a 2-3^(rd) shooting mode(e.g., mini-me mode) as shown in FIG. 7. In this mode, the shooting modedetermination module 325 may display a virtual character image 711simulating features of the person (e.g., facial expression or motion ofthe user body) together with an image 712 of the person (i.e. theexternal object) on a background area 713 in the preview image.According to an embodiment, in the mini-me mode a virtual characterimage is synthesized with a preview image such that the background ofthe virtual character image 711 is the preview image.

According to an embodiment, it may be determined that the attributes ofthe external object corresponding to the preview image is changed. Ifso, the shooting mode determination module 325 may change the shootingmode in real time, or may change the shooting mode based on user inputinputted through a user interface. For example, the shooting modedetermination module 325 may determine that the external object isinitially not a person, and provide the figurine mode as the shootingmode initially. The shooting mode determination module 325 may thencontinue to check whether or not the external object is a person in realtime during the figurine mode. According to an embodiment, if a personis detected from the preview image while providing the figurine mode,the shooting mode determination module 325 may change the shooting modeto VR mode or mini-me mode. According to another embodiment, if the sizeof the face of the person as the external object is changed to apredetermined size or more while the shooting mode determination module325 is operating in the VR mode or the mini-me mode, the shooting modedetermination module 325 may change the shooting mode to the mask mode.

According to an embodiment, a tracking level determination module 324may determine a level for tracking distinguished features correspondingto an external object from a preview image, based on the attributes ofthe external object.

According to an embodiment, in order to produce a virtual character(e.g., an avatar) which simulates the features of the external object inthe preview image, the electronic device 300 may track feature changesof the external object in the preview image, and may produce a virtualcharacter image (e.g., an avatar image) reflecting the same.

For example, the electronic device 300 may vary the level for trackingthe feature changes of the external object, based on the attributes ofthe external object. For example, the electronic device 300 may morespecifically track, or may roughly track, various distinguished featuresof the external object, based on the attributes of the external object.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level determination module 324may determine the level for tracking the external object using at leastone of a body motion tracking module 324 a for tracking distinguishedfeatures corresponding to the body motion of a person, a hand trackingmodule 324 b for tracking distinguished features corresponding to ahand, a finger tracking module 324 c for tracking distinguished featurescorresponding to a finger, a facial expression tracking module 324 d fortracking distinguished features corresponding to the eye, nose, andmouth of the face and/or the face contour, an eye tracking module 324 efor tracking distinguished features corresponding to an eye or pupil(e.g., iris or user's gaze direction) and/or a tongue tracking module324 f for tracking distinguished features corresponding to a tongue. Forexample, the eye tracking module 324 e may track the user's gaze, andthe tongue tracking module 324 f may track the tongue's motion (e.g., inthe case where the user sticks out his/her tongue as a playful gestureor when pronouncing “th”).

According to an embodiment, the tracking level determination module 324may determine a tracking level according to the type of shooting modedetermined by the shooting mode determination module 325 or based onuser input. For example, the tracking level determination module 324 maydetermine to track the external object using the hand tracking module324 b and/or the finger tracking module 324 c if it is determined thatthe external object includes a hand. As another example, if it isdetermined that the external object includes a face, the tracking leveldetermination module 324 may track the external object using the facialexpression tracking module 324 d, the eye tracking module 324 e, and/orthe tongue tracking module 324 f. As another example, if it isdetermined that an external object includes a body (e.g., whole body orupper body of a person), the tracking level determination module 324 maytrack the external object using the body motion tracking module 324 a,the hand tracking module 324 b, the finger tracking module 324 c, thefacial expression tracking module 324 d, the eye tracking module 324 e,and/or the tongue tracking module 324 f.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level determination module 324may determine a tracking level of the external object based on adistance between the external object photographed by the camera module380 and the electronic device 300. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 300 may obtain information on the distance to theexternal object using a distance sensor or a depth sensor (e.g., atime-of-flight (ToF) sensor) included in the camera module 380, and maydetermine the tracking level, based on the obtained information. Forexample, if the external object is located close to the electronicdevice at a predetermined distance or less, the tracking leveldetermination module 324 may configure the tracking level so as to trackthe external object more granularly. In doing so, all of the pluralityof tracking modules 324 a, 324 b, 324 c, 324 d, 324 e, and 324 f may beused to track the various distinguished features. According to anotherembodiment, when there is no distance or depth sensor, the distanceinformation with respect to the external object may be determined basedon the size of an object (e.g., a face) in the image obtained throughthe camera module 380.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level determination module 324may determine the size of an image area corresponding to the externalobject in the preview image, and may determine a tracking level of theexternal object, based on the size of the image area. For example, if itis determined that the size of the image area (e.g., a face area or ahand area) corresponding to the external object in the preview imageexceeds a predetermined reference size, the tracking level determinationmodule 324 may determine the tracking level so as to track the externalobject more granularly. For example, when the user generates a previewimage by enlarging the face part of the user, the electronic device 300may obtain more specific tracking information on the enlarged face partof the user, and may provide a virtual character image (e.g., an avatarimage) that more precisely simulates the face of the user.

According to an embodiment, if it is determined that the distance to theexternal object (e.g., the user body) is greater than or equal to apredetermined reference distance or that the size of an image areacorresponding to the external object is less than or equal to areference size in the photographed preview image, the electronic device300 may more roughly track the distinguished features of the externalobject using only the body motion tracking module 324 a, instead ofdriving the module for specifically tracking an object, such as thefacial expression tracking module 324 d, the eye tracking module 324 e,and/or the finger tracking module 324 c, thereby minimizing unnecessaryresource usage.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level determination module 324may determine a tracking level based on a relative ratio between thesize of the image area corresponding to the external object in a previewimage and the size of the entire area of the preview image.

According to an embodiment, the avatar image production module 323 mayextract distinguished features of the user's face from an image, and mayreflect the extracted distinguished features in a pre-stored basic facemodel of a virtual character, thereby producing a virtual charactersimilar to the user face.

According to an embodiment, the avatar image production module 323 mayproduce a first virtual character image performing a predeterminedaction using a pre-produced virtual character, and may store the same ina memory (e.g., the memory 130 or 250 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). For example,if it is determined that the external object is not a person in thepreview image, the electronic device 300 may display, on the display360, a user interface for compositing the first virtual character imagewith the preview image.

According to an embodiment, the avatar image production module 323 maytrack the distinguished features corresponding to the external object ina preview image, and may produce a second virtual character image, basedon the tracking information obtained through the tracking. For example,the second virtual character image may include a motion in which avirtual character previously produced based on the preview imageperforms a similar motion as one performed by the external object.

According to an embodiment, the avatar image production module 323 mayproduce a virtual character image (i.e., avatar image) using a specificvirtual character selected from among various types of virtualcharacters by the user.

An electronic device 300 according to an embodiment may include: acamera module (e.g., the camera module 380 in FIG. 3A); a display (e.g.,the display 360 in FIG. 3A); and a processor (e.g., the processor 320 inFIG. 3A), wherein the processor may be configured to: obtain a previewimage corresponding to an external object using the camera module;determine attributes of the external object, based on the obtainedpreview image; synthesize the preview image with a virtual characterimage, based on the attributes of the external object; and output thesynthesized preview image through the display.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to: trackdistinguished features of the external object in the obtained previewimage, based on the attributes of the external object; produce thevirtual character image, based on the distinguished features; synthesizethe preview image with the produced virtual character image; and outputthe synthesized preview image through the display.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to, when theexternal object is a person, based on the attributes of the externalobject, track distinguished features of the person, and produce thevirtual character image based on the distinguished features of theperson.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to determinea tracking level with respect to the external object and track thedistinguished features of the external object, based on the determinedtracking level.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level may be determined basedon a distance between the electronic device and the external object.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level may be determined basedon a size of an imaging area corresponding to the external object in thepreview image.

According to an embodiment, the tracked distinguished features maycorrespond to a face contour, a pupil, a mouth, a hand, a finger, and/ora body included in the external object.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured tosynthesize the preview image with the virtual character image such thatthe virtual character image is displayed together with an imagecorresponding to the external object of the preview image in abackground area of the preview image.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to identifya face area of the external object in the preview image and synthesizethe preview image with virtual character image such that at least a faceportion of the virtual character image replaces the face area of thepreview image.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to, when theexternal object is not a person, based on the attributes of the externalobject, detect a plane area in the preview image and synthesize thepreview image with virtual character image such that the virtualcharacter image is displayed at a position corresponding to the planearea.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to output auser interface for changing at least one aspect of the virtual characterimage (e.g., the virtual character image may be changed based onreception of a user input or non-reception of a user input for apredetermined time interval).

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating a method of outputting an avatarimage in an electronic device according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, in operation 331, an electronic device 300(or a processor 320 of the electronic device 300) may determine ashooting mode based on user input. For example, an electronic device 101may receive, from the user, a user input regarding whether or not toperform photography of a virtual character or regarding a shooting modefor photography among a plurality of shooting modes utilizing a virtualcharacter.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may identify thecurrent state of the electronic device 101. If the current statecorresponds to a predetermined condition, the electronic device 300 mayautomatically determine a shooting mode suitable for the current state,or may provide the user with a user interface for suggesting thesuitable shooting mode, instead of performing operation 331.

For example, the electronic device 300 may perform an operation forproducing a virtual character image if a user input to enter a shootingmode utilizing a virtual character is received or if a specificapplication related to a virtual character is executed while performingphotography using the camera module 380.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may determinewhether to perform photography in the VR mode or the AR mode, based on auser input from the user. For example, if in the VR mode, the electronicdevice 300 may display a virtual character image that simulates anexternal object on a virtual background screen. Alternatively, in the ARmode, the electronic device 300 may display a virtual character imagethat simulates an external object on a real background screen that is apreview image.

The electronic device 300 according to an embodiment may support aplurality of shooting modes in the AR mode. For example, the pluralityof shooting modes may include the mask mode in which the external object(e.g., person) is displayed by replacing the face part (or the upperbody) with a virtual character image, the mini-me mode in which theexternal object and a virtual character simulating the external objectare displayed together, and/or the figurine mode in which a specifiedvirtual character performs a specified action in a specific plane areaincluded in the preview image. For example, the electronic device 300may receive a user input for selecting one of the plurality of shootingmodes using an input module 350, and may enter the correspondingshooting mode.

In operation 332, the electronic device 300 may obtain a preview imagecorresponding to the external object using a camera module 380. Forexample, the preview image may be obtained through the camera module 380to then be output in real time through a display 360. The electronicdevice 300 may receive a user input while the preview image is displayedin real time through the display 360, thereby entering the shooting modeutilizing the virtual character.

In operation 333, the electronic device 300 may determine the externalobject in the preview image. For example, the electronic device 300 maydetermine the attributes of the external object based on the previewimage. For example, the attributes of the external object may include atleast one of whether or not or not the external object is a person,whether or not the external object includes a face, whether or not theexternal object includes a hand, whether or not the external objectincludes a plane area, and/or the distance between the external objectand the electronic device.

In operation 334, the electronic device 300 may synthesize a previewimage with a virtual character image (e.g., an avatar image) based onthe determination on the external object.

For example, if it is determined that the external object is not aperson, based on the attributes of the external object, the electronicdevice 300 may synthesize a preview image with a pre-produced virtualcharacter image. As another example, the electronic device 300 maysynthesize a virtual character image produced using a virtual charactercorresponding to the external object or a virtual character selectedbased on a user input with a preview image, based on the attributes ofthe external object.

In operation 335, the electronic device 300 may output the preview imagesynthesized in operation 334 through the display 360.

FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating a method of producing an avatarimage (i.e., a virtual character image) according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, in operation 341, the electronic device 300(or the processor 320 of the electronic device 300) may determine theattributes of the external object using the preview image.

In operation 342, the electronic device 300 may track the externalobject, based on the determined attributes of the external object. Forexample, if it is determined that the external object is a person, theelectronic device 300 may track the motion of the external object usingthe preview image obtained in real time.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may trackdistinguished features of an image area of the external object, and mayobtain tracking information based on the tracking. According to anembodiment, if the external object is not a person, based on theattributes of the external object, the electronic device 300 may outputa screen indicating that there is no object to track, instead oftracking the external object.

In operation 343, the electronic device 300 may produce a virtualcharacter image (i.e., an avatar image), based on the informationobtained through tracking in operation 342. For example, the electronicdevice 300 may produce a virtual character image such that the virtualcharacter simulates the motion of the external object using a pre-storedvirtual character corresponding to the external object or a pre-storedvirtual character selected based on a user input.

A method of outputting a virtual character image of an electronic device300 according to an embodiment may include: obtaining a preview imagecorresponding to an external object using a camera module (e.g., thecamera module 380 in FIG. 3A); determining attributes of the externalobject, based on the obtained preview image, by a processor (e.g., theprocessor 320 in FIG. 3A); synthesizing the preview image with a virtualcharacter image, based on the attributes of the external object; andoutputting the synthesized preview image through a display (e.g., thedisplay 360 in FIG. 3A).

According to an embodiment, the synthesizing of the preview image with aspecified virtual character image may include tracking distinguishedfeatures of the external object in the obtained preview image, based onthe attributes of the external object, producing the virtual characterimage, based on the distinguished features, and synthesizing the previewimage with the produced virtual character image, by the processor.

According to an embodiment, the method may include: when the externalobject is a person, based on the attributes of the external object,tracking distinguished features of the person; and producing the virtualcharacter image based on the distinguished features of the person.

According to an embodiment, the method may include: determining atracking level with respect to the external object; and tracking thedistinguished features of the external object, based on the determinedtracking level.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level may be determined basedon a distance between the electronic device and the external object.

According to an embodiment, the tracking level may be determined basedon a size of an imaging area corresponding to the external object in thepreview image.

According to an embodiment, the tracked distinguished features maycorrespond to a face contour, a pupil, a mouth, a hand, a finger, and/ora body included in the external object.

According to an embodiment, the synthesizing of the preview image withthe virtual character image may include synthesizing the preview imagewith the virtual character image such that the virtual character imageis displayed together with an image corresponding to the external objectof the preview image in a background area of the preview image.

According to an embodiment, the synthesizing of the preview image withthe virtual character image may include identifying a face area of theexternal object from the preview image and synthesizing the previewimage with virtual character image such that at least a face portion ofthe virtual character image replaces the face area of the preview image.

According to an embodiment, the synthesizing of the preview image withthe virtual character image may include, when the external object is nota person, based on the attributes of the external object, detecting aplane area from the preview image and synthesizing the preview imagewith virtual character image such that the virtual character image isdisplayed at a position corresponding to the plane area.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include outputting auser interface for changing at least one aspect of the virtual characterimage (e.g., the virtual character image may be changed based onreception of a user input or non-reception of a user input for apredetermined time interval).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface regarding productionof a virtual character according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device 300 (e.g., a processor 320 ofthe electronic device 300) according to an embodiment may output animage obtained through a camera module 380 to a display 360 as a previewimage 413, as shown in screen example 410. For example, the electronicdevice 300 may obtain and store a user image 421 when it receives a userinput to a shooting button 415.

The electronic device 300 may extract distinguished features of the userface in order to produce a virtual character from the obtained userimage 421. For example, the electronic device 300 may produce a virtualcharacter having features similar to the user face by reflecting theextracted distinguished features to a basic face model of the virtualcharacter.

The electronic device 300 may determine whether or not to produce a malevirtual character or a female virtual character using the obtained userimage 421, based on a user input, as shown in screen example 420. Forexample, the electronic device 300 may output icons (e.g., a male icon423, a female icon 425, and a confirmation icon 427) for receiving auser input regarding the gender. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 300 may determine the age, race, etc. of a virtualcharacter, based on other user inputs.

The electronic device 300 may produce and output a virtual character 433as shown in screen example 430, and may output selection items 435 forchanging various attribute information of the virtual character 433(e.g., the shape or size of eyes, the nose, the mouth, hair color, hairstyle, face type, and/or a skin color). For example, the electronicdevice 300 may determine the hair style of the virtual character 433,based on user input.

The electronic device 300 may receive selection for an item of thevirtual character (e.g., selection for an item of clothing) from theuser, thereby applying the same to the virtual character 443, as shownin screen example 440. For example, the electronic device 300 may outputselection items 445 for selecting or changing an item, and may receive auser input.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may storeinformation related to the produced virtual character in a memory (e.g.,the memory 130 or 250 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2), and may produce a virtualcharacter image using the pre-stored virtual character information whenentering a shooting mode utilizing the virtual character.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment.

Screen example 510 may illustrate an example of a photographed screen inthe VR mode in an electronic device 300 according to an embodiment. Forexample, upon receiving a user input to perform photography in the VRmode, the electronic device 300 may convert the preview image obtainedusing the camera module 380 into a virtual character image, and maydisplay the same on the photographed screen in real time.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may produce avirtual character image 511, based on the preview image, in the VR mode,and may display the same on a virtual background 513. For example, thevirtual character image 511 may simulate the motion of the externalobject, based on tracking information of the external object obtainedusing the preview image. According to an embodiment, in the case wherethe external object (e.g., a face) is photographed in proximity to theelectronic device 300, the electronic device 300 may increase thetracking level for the external object to obtain more detailed trackinginformation and reflect the same to the virtual character image 511.

According to an embodiment, the user may store the virtual characterimage by pressing (e.g., touching) the shooting button 515.

The electronic device 300 may display an interface 521 for changing thetype of virtual character as shown in screen example 520, and mayproduce and output the virtual character image in real time using thevirtual character selected based on the user input.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment.

Screen example 610 may show an example of a photographed screen in themask mode in an electronic device 300 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device 300 according to anembodiment may produce a virtual character image 611 in the mask mode,based on a preview image, and may synthesize the preview image with theproduced virtual character image 611, thereby outputting the same to ascreen. For example, the photographed screen in the mask mode maydisplay an image area (e.g., a background 613 and a user body part 612)of the external object, except for a face part thereof, using an actualimage obtained from the preview image, and may display the face partthat is replaced with the virtual character image 611. Thus, theelectronic device 300 may output an image in which only the face area inthe preview image is replaced with the virtual character imagesimulating the face area in the mask mode.

According to an embodiment, the user may store the photographed image inthe mask mode by pressing (e.g., touching) the shooting button 615 inscreen example 610, and may select the type of character in the virtualcharacter image output in the face area through an interface 621 forchanging the type of virtual character in screen example 620.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in an electronic device according to anembodiment.

According to an embodiment, FIG. 7 may show an example of a photographedscreen in the mini-me mode supported by the electronic device 300according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 300 may track anexternal object 712 of a preview image in the mini-me mode, and mayoutput a virtual character image 711 produced based on the trackingtogether with a background 713 of the preview image and the externalobject 712. For example, the electronic device 300 may photograph both avirtual character 711 simulating the motion of the external object 712and the external object 712 in the mini-me mode.

According to an embodiment, the user may store the photographed image inthe mini-me using the shooting button 715 in screen example 710, and mayselect the type of virtual character that simulates the motion of theexternal object using an interface 721 for changing the type of virtualcharacter in screen example 720.

As shown in screen example 730, the virtual character may simulate themotion of the external object, and may be displayed to be different fromthe external object in the hair style or costume item thereof, based onpredetermined attributes of the virtual character.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen outputting avirtual character image in a figurine mode in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, if it is determined that the external objectin the preview image is not a person (or does not include a face), theelectronic device 300 may perform photography in the figurine mode. Forexample, the electronic device 300 may detect a plane area 812 of theexternal object in the preview image, and may output a photographedscreen displaying a specified virtual character image 811 at theposition corresponding to the plane area 812.

According to an embodiment, the user may store the photographed image inthe figurine mode using the shooting button 815 in screen example 810,and may select the type of virtual character that simulates the motionof the external object using an interface 821 for changing the type ofvirtual character in screen example 820.

According to an embodiment, based on reception of a predetermined userinput on the photographed screen in which a virtual character image 811is displayed or non-reception of a user input for a predetermined timeinterval in the figurine mode, the electronic device 300 may output auser interface for the virtual character image 811 to perform an action.For example, the electronic device 300 may output the virtual character811 in which the virtual character 811 is dancing, as shown in screenexample 830, if the user touches the touch screen in the figurine mode.

The electronic device 101 according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the technologicalfeatures set forth herein to particular embodiments and include variouschanges, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.With regard to the description of the drawings, similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is tobe understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an itemmay include one or more of the things, unless the relevant contextclearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A andB,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, andC,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or allpossible combinations of the items enumerated together in acorresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st”and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish acorresponding component from another, and does not limit the componentsin other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood thatif an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or withoutthe term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupledto,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a secondelement), it means that the element may be coupled with the otherelement directly (e.g., over wires), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or“circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in aform of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101).For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g.,the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at leastone function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The oneor more instructions may include a code generated by a compiler or acode executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage mediummay be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein,the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is atangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagneticwave), but this term does not differentiate between where data issemi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data istemporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments ofthe disclosure may be included and provided in a computer programproduct. The computer program product may be traded as a product betweena seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed inthe form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc readonly memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded)online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two userdevices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at leastpart of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or atleast temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such asmemory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store,or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more ofthe above-described components may be omitted, or one or more othercomponents may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality ofcomponents (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a singlecomponent. In such a case, according to various embodiments, theintegrated component may still perform one or more functions of each ofthe plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. According to various embodiments, operations performedby the module, the program, or another component may be carried outsequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or moreof the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, orone or more other operations may be added.

Certain of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure canbe implemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software orcomputer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM,a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic tape, a RAM, a floppy disk, ahard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over anetwork originally stored on a remote recording medium or anon-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a localrecording medium, so that the methods described herein can be renderedvia such software that is stored on the recording medium using a generalpurpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicatedhardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art,the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or theprogrammable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash,etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that whenaccessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implementthe processing methods described herein.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a camera module;a display; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:obtain a preview image corresponding to an external object using thecamera module; determine attributes of the external object, based on theobtained preview image; when the external object is included a person,based on the attributes of the external object, track distinguishedfeatures of the person, produce a virtual character image based on thetracked distinguished features of the person, and synthesize the previewimage with the virtual character image, the virtual character imagebeing an avatar image; when the external object is not included aperson, based on the attributes of the external object, detect a planearea included in the external object in the preview image, andsynthesize the preview image with a predefined virtual character imagesuch that the predefined virtual character image is displayed at aposition corresponding to the plane area; and output the synthesizedpreview image through the display.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a trackinglevel with respect to the person; and track the distinguished featuresof the person, based on the determined tracking level.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 2, wherein the tracking level is determined based on adistance between the electronic device and the external object.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 2, wherein the tracking level is determinedbased on a size of an imaging area corresponding to the external objectin the preview image.
 5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein thetracked distinguished features correspond to a face contour, a pupil, amouth, a hand, a finger, and/or a body included in the external object.6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the external objectis a person, the processor is further configured to synthesize thepreview image with the virtual character image such that the virtualcharacter image is displayed together with an image corresponding to theexternal object of the preview image in a background area of the previewimage.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: display a menu including a plurality ofselectable characteristics applicable to the virtual character image; inresponse to detecting a selection of a characteristic from among theplurality of selectable characteristics, modify a visual appearance ofthe synthesized preview image by incorporating the selectedcharacteristic into the synthesized preview image; detect a body of auser within the preview image, and determine whether a first portion ofthe body or a second portion of the body is a predetermined sizerelative to an overall size of the preview image; and select one of afirst shooting mode incorporating the virtual character image and asecond shooting mode different from the first shooting modeincorporating the virtual character image, according to whether thefirst portion or the second portion of the body is greater than or equalto the predetermined size.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, whereinthe plurality of selectable characteristics includes sequential displayof a first menu and a second menu, the first menu including selectableitems to indicate an applicable sex of the synthesized preview image,and the second menu including selectable items representing applicablefacial features of the synthesized preview image.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 7, wherein the first portion includes a face, and thefirst shooting mode is selected when the face is greater than thepredetermined size and includes replacing the face within the previewimage with a generated face of the virtual character image, and whereinthe second portion includes an upper body, and the second shooting modeis selected when the upper body is greater than the predetermined size,and includes displaying a full body display of the virtual characterimage with the upper body of the user within the preview image.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein, when the external object is aperson, the processor is further configured to: identify a face area ofthe external object in the preview image; and synthesize the previewimage with virtual character image such that at least a face portion ofthe virtual character image replaces the face area of the preview image.11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to output a user interface for changing at least one aspectof the virtual character image.
 12. A method of outputting a virtualcharacter image of an electronic device, the method comprising:obtaining a preview image corresponding to an external object using acamera module; determining attributes of the external object, based onthe obtained preview image; when the external object is included aperson, based on the attributes of the external object, trackingdistinguished features of the person, producing a virtual characterimage based on the tracked distinguished features of the person, andsynthesizing the preview image with the virtual character image, thevirtual character image being an avatar image; when the external objectis not included a person, based on the attributes of the externalobject, detecting a plane area included in the external object in thepreview image, and synthesizing the preview image with a predefinedvirtual character image such that the predefined virtual character imageis displayed at a position corresponding to the plane area; andoutputting the synthesized preview image through a display.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: determining a tracking levelwith respect to the person; and tracking the distinguished features ofthe person, based on the determined tracking level.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the tracking level is determined based on a distancebetween the electronic device and the external object and/or a size ofan imaging area corresponding to the external object in the previewimage, wherein the tracked distinguished features correspond to a facecontour, a pupil, a mouth, a hand, a finger, and/or a body included inthe external object.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein, when theexternal object is a person, the synthesizing of the preview image withthe virtual character image further comprises: synthesizing the previewimage with the virtual character image such that the virtual characterimage is displayed together with an image corresponding to the externalobject of the preview image in a background area of the preview image.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying a menuincluding a plurality of selectable characteristics applicable to thevirtual character image; in response to detecting a selection of acharacteristic from among the plurality of selectable characteristics,modify a visual appearance of the synthesized preview image byincorporating the selected characteristic into the synthesized previewimage; detecting a body of a user within the preview image, anddetermining whether a first portion of the body or a second portion ofthe body is a predetermined size relative to an overall size of thepreview image; and selecting one of a first shooting mode incorporatingthe virtual character image and a second shooting mode different fromthe first shooting mode incorporating the virtual character image,according to whether the first portion or the second portion of the bodyis greater than or equal to the predetermined size.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the plurality of selectable characteristics includessequential display of a first menu and a second menu, the first menuincluding selectable items to indicate an applicable sex of thesynthesized preview image, and the second menu including selectableitems representing applicable facial features of the synthesized previewimage.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first portion includes aface, and the first shooting mode is selected when the face is greaterthan the predetermined size and includes replacing the face within thepreview image with a generated face of the virtual character image, andwherein the second portion includes an upper body, and the secondshooting mode is selected when the upper body is greater than thepredetermined size, and includes displaying a full body display of thevirtual character image with the upper body of the user within thepreview image.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein, when the externalobject is a person, the processor is further configured to: identifyinga tracking level with respect to the external object; and synthesizingthe preview image with virtual character image such that at least a faceportion of the virtual character image replaces a face area of thepreview image.
 20. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprisingoutputting a user interface for changing at least one aspect of thevirtual character image.